Midway commits $1,000 in honor of veteran

Published: Monday, July 22, 2013 at 12:30 a.m.

Last Modified: Friday, July 19, 2013 at 3:06 p.m.

MIDWAY | Members of the Midway Town Council have agreed to contribute $1,000 to Helping a Hero, a nonprofit that's continuing its efforts to build a house for a veteran in the community.

Facts

Want to help?

To donate money for the house for injured retired Marine Cpl. Jessie Fletcher and his fiancee, Emily, visit www.helpingahero.org. Skilled residents or material suppliers who want to help can contact Jordan Leonard of Brad Leonard Builders at 731-3650 or jordan@bradleonardbuilders.com.

The town council during its meeting July 15 unanimously approved the allocation to be contributed to the Texas-based nonprofit in honor of retired Cpl. Jessie Fletcher of the U.S. Marine Corps. Helping a Hero provides support for military personnel who have been severely injured in the war on terror. The nonprofit is building a house for Fletcher in the Kensington Estates subdivision on Willow Ridge Lane off Hickory Tree Road.

Councilwoman Sue Stephens said she'd feel comfortable giving the funds to the nonprofit in honor of Fletcher because Midway doesn't typically give an allocation of money to an individual. "I think we have to be careful there," she said.

Fletcher, a New York native, joined the Marines immediately after high school graduation in June 2008. He was a Marine scout sniper who served in the First Battalion, Sixth Marines. Fletcher lost both of his legs after he was wounded Oct. 17, 2011, as a result of stepping on an improvised explosive device in Afghanistan. He also lost multiple fingers and hearing in one of his ears. His recovery was 14 months before he walked out of the Walter Reed National Military Medical Center and began his new life in Winston-Salem.

A groundbreaking ceremony was held on land March 28. Emily Ball is his fiancee. Brad Leonard Builders in Welcome is serving as the contractor for the couple's home.

Jordan Leonard, CEO and president of Brad Leonard Builders, said this week that the project has been stalled as he doesn't have the construction plans. He said the original goal of Helping a Hero was for the house to be completed in October. Leonard said as of last week ground hasn't been broken on the property.

Meredith Iler, national chairwoman and founder of Helping a Hero, said the construction plans are still being tweaked. She said there are a lot of components in developing a wheelchair accessible home.

"It's not like pick a plan and build it," she said. "There are accessibility issues. … Our goal is to get it done right for Jessie."

Leonard said he needs donations from material suppliers in lighting, plumbing fixtures and appliances. Some of the needs, he said, that have been met through donations are with roofing and brick and block. Leonard said he also is looking for people who are skilled in trades to donate their time or their company's time. Skilled residents or material suppliers are asked to contact Leonard at 731-3650 or jordan@bradleonardbuilders.com.

"We really haven't set up a new timetable," Leonard said. "I know the public would love to hear that. Until we get things ironed out, we are on hold. Obviously, we are trying to get it done as quickly as we can."

Fletcher said Wednesday that he expected the delay because most of the work is being donated. He said if he had a family at this time he'd request a speedier process.

"I'm very pleased," Fletcher said, referring to the process of building his home. "I think everyone who has been involved has made a tremendous contribution. There is a lot of strong community support in this part of the country. This is a model community for people who want to see how to support their veterans."

Monetary donations are still being sought for Fletcher and Ball's house and can be made at www.helpingahero.org.

Darrick Ignasiak can be reached at 249-3981, ext. 217, or darrick.ignasiak@the-dispatch.com.

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